News

Sirisena, other SLFP MPs asked to leave Govt.

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

SLPP heavyweight says Govt. can do without them

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) heavyweight and Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has asked the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to leave the government as the SLPP could do without its support.

Addressing the media on Saturday (27), Minister Ranatunga asked former President and SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena, MP, and members of his parliamentary group to quit the government.

Minister Ranatunga recalled how he urged the electorate in the run-up to the last parliamentary election in August 2020 not to vote for anyone connected with Maithripala Sirisena.

The SLPP Gampaha District leader emphasized that the SLFP contested the last general election on the SLPP ticket. Of the 14 lawmakers in Parliament, 13, including one on the National List (Dr. Suren Raghavan) represent the SLPP. The remaining MP entered Parliament from Jaffna on the SLFP ticket.

Responding to a media query, Minister Ranatunga pointed out that a 2/3 was not required to sustain the government though there were instances the ruling party couldn’t do without such a majority such as introduction of a constitutional amendment.

Minister Ranatunga urged the SLFP to stop making pronouncements pertaining to the government’s position in Parliament. The Minister said that anyone could leave the government.

Last week, Minister Ranatunga called for legal action against MP Sirisena on the basis of the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage. Minister Ranatunga declared that even if all those causing issues quit, the government could go ahead.

Political sources said that the relationship between the SLPP and the SLFP has further deteriorated against the backdrop of the latter throwing its weight behind a high profile campaign launched by a dissident group within the government against the Treasury entering into a controversial agreement with New Fortress Energy. The SLFP and several other smaller groups including the National Freedom Front (NFF) with six lawmakers in the current Parliament have pledged to oppose the US energy deal whatever the consequences. The rebel group consists of over 25 MPs.

Meanwhile, the crisis within the ruling parliamentary group was mentioned as one of the major issues undermining the incumbent government at a workshop conducted for Media Secretaries of ministers and State Ministers conducted at Sri Lanka Foundation on Saturday (27).

The meeting was told how continuing internal strife within the government parliamentary group as well as constituents weakened the administration. Media Secretaries questioned the failure on the part of the government at least to brief them properly of contentious matters as various groups pulled in different directions.

Political sources pointed out that the Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena last week assured Parliament that there was absolutely no issue between the government and the SLPP. The MEP leader made the declaration in the wake of heavy exchanges between the SLFP and Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage over the latter’s criticism of Maithripala Sirisena during the budget debate on presidential expenditure.

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President and Exco of Sri Lanka Cricket step down

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/29

Priyan

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced today (29) that the President of Sri Lanka Cricket and members of the Executive Committee have tendered their resignations.

The decision has been formaly communicated to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/29

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 April 2026, valid for 29 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle,
Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Treasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Nagananda / Harshana

New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:

Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.

According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.

The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).

Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”

USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.

Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.

Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.

On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.

By Shamindra Ferdinando